Case having standing leg for electronic devices

ABSTRACT

A case having a standing leg for an electronic device includes a soft protective cover, a hard protective frame, and a standing leg. An opening is formed on a back portion of the hard protective frame to receive the standing leg therein. The standing leg is pivoted with the soft protective cover and the hard protective frame. The standing leg is configured to rotate up to about a predetermined angle until the rotation of the standing leg is prevented by a pivoting end wall of the hard protective frame. The opening is sized to receive the standing leg. The standing leg is rotatable from a closed position in which it is received in the opening to an open position in which the standing leg is rotated about the predetermined angle. In an open position, the electronic device rests on a surface at a preferred viewing angle.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. provisional patent applicationNo. 62/063,292 filed Oct. 13, 2014, which is incorporated herein byreference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a case having a standing log for anelectronic device and, more particularly, to a smart phone case having astanding leg for propping up the smart phone case. The standing leg ispivoted with both of the soft protective case and the hard protectiveframe of the case.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Mobile electronic devices such as mobile phones, smart phones, tablet,computers and the like are in wide use around the world. A user gripssuch device in his hand or hands to use it and uses his fingers to usevarious applications of the device. However, while using the device, theuser may accidentally drop the device thereby causing damage to thedevice. In addition, use of mobile electronic devices may cause hand,limb and back problems due to the physical stress of holding theelectronic device for an extended period of time.

Users of the mobile electronic devices use cases to protect theirdevices and manufacturers have produced different types of cases to helpthe users keep their mobile devices safe. However, certain of thesecases do not allow a user to prop up the mobile device for hands-freeviewing at a comfortable angle. Even if such function is allowed, thepropping up structure is often complicated and inconvenient.

Therefore, to solve the above problems, there is a need for a casehaving an easy-to-use standing leg for an electronic device constructedin a simple and durable structure. This invention is directed to solvethese problems and satisfy the long-felt need.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention contrives to solve the disadvantages of the priorart. The present invention provides a case having a standing leg for anelectronic device such as a mobile phone, smart phone, tablet computerand the like, and, more particularly, to a standing leg pivoted not justwith the hard protective frame of the case but also with the softprotective case of the case.

The object of the present invention is to provide a case having astanding leg for an electronic device, including a soft protectivecover, a hard protective frame, and a standing leg. An opening is formedon a back portion of the hard protective frame to receive the standingleg therein. The standing leg is pivoted with the soft protective coverand the hard protective frame. The standing leg is configured to rotateup to about a predetermined angle until the rotation of the standing legis prevented by a pivoting end wall of the hard protective frame.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a case having astanding leg for an electronic device such that the opening is sized toreceive the standing leg. The standing leg is rotatable from a closedposition in which it is received in the opening to an open position inwhich the standing leg is rotated about the predetermined angle. In anopen position, the electronic device may rest on a surface at apreferred viewing angle.

The advantages of the present, invention are: (1) the case of thepresent invention has a simple, stylish structure of a standing leg forpropping up the case; (2) the standing leg is easy-to-use andconvenient; (3) the standing leg is more durable and less vulnerable toscratches or damages because the standing leg is pivoted not just withthe hard protective frame of the case but also with the soft protectivecase of the case; (4) once a mobile phone is received and secured in thecase, the standing leg is very securely pivoted and the opening andclosing of the standing leg is very convenient; (5) the soft protectivecover, hard protective frame and standing leg are very easy to assembleand the standing leg is easy to be replaced; (6) the surface of thestanding leg is flush with the surface of the hard protective frame andthe appearance and finish are stylish; and (7) the standing leg can beopen conveniently by using a fingernail and the operation is easy.

Although the present invention is briefly summarized, the fullerunderstanding of the invention can be obtained by the followingdrawings, detailed description and appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present,invention will become better understood with reference to theaccompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a case having a standing legaccording to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the case with the standing leg in anopen position according to the present invention;

FIG. 3 shows another perspective view of the case with the standing legopen to prop up the case and an electronic device therein in a landscapeorientation;

FIG. 4 shows an exploded view of the case having a soft protectivecover, a hard protective, frame and a standing leg according to thepresent invention;

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of the soft protective cover;

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of the standing leg;

FIG. 7 shows another perspective view of the standing leg;

FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of the hard protective frame;

FIG. 9 shows another perspective view of the hard protective frame;

FIG. 10 shows a partial perspective view of the hard protective frameshowing the opening of the hard protective frame;

FIG. 11 shows a perspective view of the case with a standing leg open toprop up the case according to another embodiment of the presentinvention; and

FIG. 12 shows another perspective view of the case with a standing legopen to prop up the case according to another embodiment of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of thepresent invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings, which form a part of this disclosure. It is to be understoodthat this invention is not limited to the specific devices, methods,conditions or parameters described and/or shown herein, and that theterminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments by way of example only and is not intended to be limiting ofthe claimed invention.

Also, as used in the specification including the appended claims, thesingular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” include the plural, and reference toa particular numerical value includes at least that particular value,unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Ranges may be expressedherein as from, “about” or “approximately” one particular value and/orto “about” or “approximately” another particular value. When, such arange is expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particularvalue and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values areexpressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent “about”, it willbe understood that the particular value forms another embodiment.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a case 10 having a standing leg 40and FIG. 2 shows the ease 10 when the standing leg 40 is in an openposition. FIG. 3 shows the case 10 when the standing leg 40 is in anopen position to prop up the case 10 and an electronic device 100 (notshown) therein in a landscape orientation. In addition, FIG. 4 shows anexploded view of the case 10 having a soft, protective cover 20, a hardprotective frame 30 and a standing leg 40 according to one embodiment ofthe present invention. The electronic device may be a mobile phone,smart phone, tablet computer, MP3 player, Personal Digital Assistant orthe like.

The case 10 of the present invention, having a standing leg 40 for anelectronic device 100, comprises a soft protective cover 20, a hardprotective frame 30, and a standing leg 40. The sort protective cover 20protects the electronic device 100 installed, therein and covers a backportion 110 of the electronic device 100. The hard protective frame 30is configured to removably mount over the soft, protective cover 20 andthe standing leg 40 props up the electronic device. An opening 40 isformed on a back portion 31 of the hard protective frame 30 and thestanding leg 40 fits in the opening 50. Furthermore, the standing leg 40is configured to rotate up to about a predetermined angle 80.

In a preferred embodiment, the soft protective cover 20 substantiallycovers the entire electronic device 100 (not shown) except for thescreen side or front portion and providing cutout portions to allow foraccess to certain portions of the electronic device such as a cameralens, various ports, switches, and the like.

When the standing leg 40 is in an open position, the case 10 props upthe electronic device 100 on a flat surface at a preferred viewingangle.

The opening 50 is sized to receive the standing leg 40 The standing leg40 is rotatable from, a closed position in which it is received in theopening 40 to an open position in which the standing leg 40 is rotatedabout the predetermined angle 80 so that the electronic device 100 mayrest on a surface at a preferred viewing angle.

The standing leg 40 is pivoted with the soft protective cover 20 or thehard protective frame 30. Preferably, the standing leg 40 is pivotedwith both of the soft protective cover 20 and the hard protective frame30. Alternatively, the standing leg 40 may be pivoted either with thesoft protective cover 20 or with the hard protective frame 30.

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of the soft protective cover 20 andFIGS. 6 and 7 show perspective views of the standing leg 40. Inaddition, FIGS. 8 and 9 show perspective views of the hard protectiveframe 30.

The standing leg 40 includes a pivoting end 4 3 and the soft protectivecover 20 includes a pivot groove 25 formed on a back portion 21 of thesoft protective cover 20. In addition, the pivoting end 43 comprisesprojections 45 formed on both ends of the pivoting end 43 and thepivoting groove 25 receives the projections 45. In addition to theprojections 45, the pivoting end 43 may fit in the pivoting groove 25.The projections 45 define a pivot axis for the standing leg 40.

The hard protective frame 30 may further include pivoting recesses 55formed on side walls 32 of the opening 50 in that the pivoting recesses55 receives the projections 45.

As in FIG. 5, the pivoting groove 25 may comprise a body portion 26 andtwo end portions 27 such that the two projections 45 fit in the endportions 27 and the pivoting recesses 55. Preferably, an end portion 27and a pivoting recess 55 form a cylinder to receive a cylindricalprojection 45 therein. In addition, the pivoting end 43 pivots in thepivoting groove 25. The pivoting groove 25 is made of soft material andhelps smooth rotation of the standing leg 40.

Preferably, the pivoting groove 25 is rounded or circular and a diameterof the body portion 26 is greater than a diameter of the end portions27.

The hard protective frame 30 is configured to removably mount over thesoft protective cover 20, and when the hard protective frame 30 mountsover the soft protective cover 20, the standing leg 40 is placed withinthe opening 50 and the projections 45 are received in the pivotingrecesses 55. Then, the projections 45 act as a hinge for the standingleg 40. In this manner, the standing leg 40 can be easily replacedshould it get damaged or worn down in the future.

The projections 45 may be formed on both ends of the pivoting end 43 bymolding the standing leg 40 and the projections 45 together.Alternatively, a shaft may be inserted into a shaft through-hole (notshown) formed on the pivoting end 43 of the standing leg 40.

The standing leg 40 comprises an inner surface 41 and an outer surface42, and the hard protective frame 30 comprises a pivoting end wall 33,two side walls 32 and a distal end wall 34. As shown in FIG. 8, thepivoting end wall 33, two side walls 32 and distal end wall 34 form theopening 50.

FIG. 10 shows a partial perspective view of the hard protective frame 30showing the opening 50 of the hard protective frame 30.

The standing leg 40 is configured to rotate about the predeterminedangle 80 until a contact part 47 of the outer surface 42 contacts thepivoting end wall 33, the standing leg being prevented from rotation bythe pivoting end wall 33. Preferably, the predetermined angle 80 is morethan 90 degrees. As in FIG. 3, if the predetermined angle 80 is morethan 90 degrees, the standing leg 40 does not rotate back toward theopening 50 while propping up the case 10 and the electronic device 100not shown) because of the weight of the case and the electronic device100. The weight presses the standing leg 40 to rotate away from theopening 50.

Preferably, the contact part 47 of the standing leg 40 is sloped and thepivoting end wall 33 is sloped such that the contact part 47 is inplanar contact with the pivoting end wall 33 when the standing leg 40 isrotated about the predetermined angle 80. Such planar contact provideswider contact area than linear or point contact, and thus, scratch ordamage to the standing leg 40 or the pivoting end wall 33 can beminimized. In addition, the pivoting end wall 33 can provide stable andreliable support to the standing leg 40 in an open position. Inaddition, by adjusting the slopes of the pivoting end wall 33 and thecontact part 47, the predetermined angle 80 can be adjusted.

A mating protrusion 60 may foe formed on the standing leg 40 and amating cavity 62 may be formed on the side wail 33 such that the matingprotrusion 60 is mated with the mating cavity 52. Alternatively, amating protrusion 60 may be formed on the side wall 33 and a matingcavity 62 may be formed on the standing leg 40 such that the matingprotrusion 60 is mated with the mating cavity 62. Preferably, there aretwo mating protrusions 60 and two mating cavities 62 on opposite sidesof the standing leg 40, In a closed position, the standing leg 40 isheld in place by the mating between the mating protrusion 60 and matingcavity 62.

When the standing leg 40 is in a closed position, substantial portion ofthe inner surface 41 of the standing leg 40 is in contact, with the backportion 21 of the soft protective case 20. The back portion 21 of thesoft protective case 20 is soft and thus, scratch or damage to thestanding leg 40 is prevented. Furthermore, when the standing leg 40 isin a closed position, the cuter surface 42 of the standing leg 40 issubstantially flush with the back portion 31 of the hard protectiveframe 30 and this construction provides a stylish look and feel of thecase 10.

The distal end wall 34 may be sloped and there may be a gap 82 betweenthe distal end wall 34 and a distal end 44 of the standing leg 40 foreasy insertion of a user's fingernail into the gap to open the standingleg 40. A user may insert his fingernail into the gap 82 and open thestanding leg 40 locked by the mating between the mating protrusion 60and mating cavity 62. Then, the user may rotate the standing leg 40about the predetermined angle 80 until such rotation is stopped by thepivoting end wall 33.

A recess or a slope 48 may be formed on the distal end 44 of thestanding leg 40 for easy insertion of a user's fingernail into the gap82 to open the standing leg 40. In addition to the sloped distal endwall 34, the recess or slope 48 formed on the distal end 44 makes thegap 82 bigger for easy insertion of a fingernail.

Because of this construction, for the gap 82, the standing leg 40 doesnot require a knob, lever or handle to open it. Without a knob, lever orhandle, the standing leg 40 and the case 10 can be designed morestylish.

An emblem, a trademark, a slogan, or an insignia may be formed on aninner surface 41 of the standing leg 40. Additionally, an emblem, atrademark, a slogan, or an insignia may be formed on a back portion 21of the soft protective case 20 corresponding to a location of theopening 50. An emblem, a trademark, a slogan, or an insignia may beformed on an outer surface 42 of the standing leg 40 as well.

The inner surface 41 and the back portion 21 of the soft protective case20 corresponding to a location of the opening 50 may be patterned toprovide additional grip as well as aesthetic design.

The soft protective cover 20 is made of a soft material and the hardprotective frame 30 is made of a hard material. Preferably, the softprotective cover 20 is made of an elastic material.

The soft material may be an elastomeric resilient material, for example,thermoplastic polyurethane (TFU) or other; thermoplastic elastomershaving a similar durometer hardness. The hard material may include asubstantially rigid material, for example, polycarbonate (PC) or asimilarly rigid material having a similar durometer hardness greaterthan the durometer hardness of the soft material.

The hard protective frame 30 may be made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC),titanium, aluminum, graphite composite, metal, plastic or other suitablematerials. Preferably, the soft protective cover 20 is made ofthermoplastic polyurethane and the hard protective frame 30 is made ofpolycarbonate.

FIG. 11 shows a perspective view of the case with a standing leg 40 opento prop up the case 10 in a landscape orientation according to anotherembodiment of the present invention and FIG. 12 shows the ease when thecover 70 is open.

A credit card storage space 71 is formed between the soft, protectivecover 20 and the hard protective frame 30. The cover 70 opens and closesthe storage space 71. The standing leg 40 is pivoted with an opening 50formed on the hard protective frame 30, preferably next to the cover 70.As in FIG. 12, even if the cover 70 is open, the case 10 can stand bythe support, of the standing leg 40.

Here, the predetermined angle 80 can be any angle, but preferablysmaller than 90 degrees. By adjusting the slopes of the pivoting endwall 33 and the contact part 47, the predetermined angle 80 can beadjusted. For the predetermined angle 80 to be smaller than 90 degrees,the angle between the pivoting end wall 33 and the bottom of the softprotective cover 20 corresponding to the opening 50 needs to foe a sharpone, smaller than 90 degrees.

FIGS. 5, 10 and 11 show the case 10 propped up in a landscapeorientation. However, the present invention also covers the case 10propped up in a portrait orientation.

While the invention has been shown and described with reference todifferent embodiments thereof, it will foe appreciated by those skilledin the art that variations in form, detail, compositions and operationmay be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the inventionas defined by the accompanying claims.

1. A case having a standing leg for an electronic device, comprising: asoft protective cover for protecting the electronic device installedtherein, covering a back portion of the electronic device; a hardprotective frame, configured to removably mount over the soft protectivecover; a standing leg for propping up the electronic device; and anopening formed on a back portion of the hard protective frame whereinthe standing leg fits in the opening and the standing leg is pivotedwith the soft protective cover or the hard protective frame, wherein thestanding leg is configured to rotate up to about a predetermined angle.2. The case of claim 1, wherein the standing leg is pivoted with thesoft protective cover and the hard protective frame.
 3. The case ofclaim 2, wherein the standing leg comprises a pivoting end and the softprotective cover comprises a pivoting groove formed on a back portion ofthe soft protective cover, wherein the pivoting end comprisesprojections formed on both ends of the pivoting end and the pivotinggroove receives the projections.
 4. The case of claim 3, wherein thepivoting end fits in the pivoting groove.
 5. The case of claim 4,wherein the hard protective frame comprises pivoting recesses formed onside walls of the opening wherein, the pivoting recesses receives theprojections.
 6. The case of claim 5, wherein the pivoting groovecomprises a body portion and end portions, wherein, the projections fitin the end portions and the pivoting recesses, wherein the pivoting endpivots in the pivoting groove, wherein the pivoting groove is circularand a diameter of the body portion is greater than a diameter of the endportions.
 7. The case of claim 1, wherein the standing leg comprises aninner surface and an outer surface, wherein the hard protective framecomprises a pivoting end wall, two side walls and a distal end wallconfigured to form the opening.
 8. The case of claim 7, wherein thestanding leg is configured to rotate about the predetermined angle untila contact part of the outer surface contacts the pivoting end wall. 9.The case of claim 8, wherein the contact part is sloped and the pivotingend wall is sloped such that the contact part is in planar contact withthe pivoting end wall when the standing leg is rotated about thepredetermined angle.
 10. The case of claim 7, wherein a matingprotrusion Is formed on the standing leg and a mating cavity is formedon the side wall wherein the mating protrusion is mated with the matingcavity.
 11. The case of claim 7, wherein a mating protrusion is formedon the side wall and a mating cavity is formed on the standing legwherein the mating protrusion is mated with the mating cavity.
 12. Thecase of claim 7, wherein when the standing leg is in a closed position,substantial portion of the inner surface of the standing leg is incontact with the back portion of the soft protective case.
 13. The caseof claim 7, wherein when the standing leg is in a closed, position, theouter surface of the standing leg is substantially flush or co-planarwith the back portion of the hard protective frame.
 14. The case ofclaim 7, wherein the distal end wall is sloped and there is a gapbetween the distal end wall and a distal end of the standing leg foreasy insertion of a user's fingernail into the gap to open the standingleg.
 15. The case of claim 14, wherein a recess or a slope is formed onthe distal end of the standing leg for easy insertion of a user'sfingernail into the gap to open the standing leg.
 16. The case of claim1, wherein an emblem, a trademark, a slogan, or an insignia is formed onan. inner surface of the standing leg.
 17. The case of claim 1, whereinan emblem, a trademark, a slogan, or an insignia is formed on an outersurface of the standing leg.
 18. The case of claim 1, wherein an emblem,a trademark, a slogan, or an insignia is formed on a back portion of thesoft protective case corresponding to a location of the opening.
 19. Thecase of claim 1, wherein the soft protective cover is made of a softmaterial and the hard protective frame is made of a hard material. 20.The case of claim 19, wherein the hard protective frame is made ofpolyvinyl chloride (PVC), titanium, aluminum, graphite composite, metalor plastic.
 21. The case of claim 19, wherein, the soft protective coveris made of thermoplastic polyurethane and the hard protective frame ismade of polycarbonate.
 22. The case of claim 1, wherein thepredetermined angle is more than 90 degrees.